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O'Brien considers next move with Camelot

By Johnny Ward 4:45PM 29 JUN 2013

CAMELOT could reappear in next Saturday's Coral-Eclipse but Aidan O'Brien has admitted that last year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner might be retired.

Bet365 are the only firm to quote a price on the horse. They go 14-1, with Al Kazeem the general 6-4 favourite. However, retirement might be the more likely conclusion for a vanquished star who went so close to winning a Triple Crown at three.

Camelot, who was turned over in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at 4-11 and then finished fourth in the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot when favourite, has been unable to live up to his huge home reputation as a four-year-old.

Having had colic last year, O'Brien remains a little mystified as to why the son of Montjeu has underwhelmed this summer.

"Obviously with a horse as special as him you have to be careful. The Eclipse is definitely possible," said O'Brien at the Curragh on Saturday.

"He went through a lot last year. He had a hard time here in the Irish Derby, and asking a horse to do what he did, a horse that clearly appreciates fast ground, can put a lot of stress on a horse.

"And then he had his whole tummy opened up to deal with the colic. Because of what he has been through we've had to take it gently with him."

He added: "Retirement is always an option and I think we're coming to the stage now where we have to decide whether to let him stretch on or not. He's a very special horse and we don't want to do anything wrong by him."